Austrian Airlines baggage allowance

Most airlines that skimp on the cheapest fare cut the checked bag first and leave the cabin bag alone. Austrian Airlines goes a step further on short and medium-haul routes: book Economy Basic and you get no cabin bag included at all -- just a small personal item, 40 x 30 x 15 cm, that has to fit under the seat in front of you. A proper carry-on has to be purchased separately.

Cabin bag by fare

Every Economy fare above Basic includes one item of hand luggage, and Business Class includes two. Check your bag's exact dimensions against Austrian and 52 other airlines with our carry-on checker before you book, especially if Basic looked like the cheap option.

Checked baggage

Standard checked baggage tops out at 158 cm total dimensions and 23 kg in Economy, rising to 32 kg in Business Class. Exactly how many free pieces you get depends on the fare booked, the route, and any Miles & More status -- Austrian notes some markets carry a higher Economy allowance than the norm, so it's worth checking your specific itinerary rather than assuming the base figures apply everywhere.

Bottom line

If Economy Basic is the fare showing as cheapest, price in a cabin bag before comparing it to a pricier fare that already includes one -- the gap often narrows or disappears. See our best carry-on luggage guide for bags that make the most of a single free personal item.

Sources

• Austrian Airlines — Information about free baggage
• Austrian Airlines — FAQs about baggage